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11/24/14

Served our country or want to support someone who did? Quicken Loans' Miles for Military grants free airfare for those chosen at the end of an easy application process.
Visit: http://www.quickenloans.com/homefront/?qls=$qls

11/16/14

What a wonderful way to enjoy a waffle! Baked in bacon bits, creamy avocado yogurt, and cheddar sprinkled atop tomatoes and cool arugula. Yum. Besides the #12 and other savory options, this tiny eatery whips up sweet creations and fresh squeezed juice combinations.

The abundance of architecture and advertising are enough to captivate. I gravitate toward people and character watching over all else. Don't linger too long though. Shops in Times Square, aka Tourist Central, tend to charge a bit more. Venture into other boroughs or other areas of Manhattan to discover their offerings.

10/6/14

All things purple catch my eye. So did a gigantic $2.00 bunch of carrots at the Mccarren Park Greenmarket. I bought them to add to Shrimp Fried Rice, but before making that dish I ate some as garnish on a salmon slider. The taste of raw, purple carrots reminds me of red cabbage.

I added bits of the leafy tops as a lettuce substitute. These sliders are cool and filling enough without feeling heavy. They provide a quick and easy no-cook dish, perfect after a day of running errands.

For this recipe the quantities are up to you. I used only Trader Joe's products, except for the veggies. Smoked salmon and pane italiano, cut into four squares. Any Italian bread bursting with olive oil will do. Dress it with tartar sauce. Enjoy!

9/20/14

The Feast of San Gennaro ends tomorrow. Don't fret though, Little Italy's plethora of gastronomical goodness will still be available. After navigating the crowds and assortment of vendors, I found a near perfect cheesesteak on the festival's route. Grand Appetito, an unassuming pizza joint on Grand Street, also sells sandwiches. I opted for onions and provolone only so I could truly compare the cheesesteak to its competition. Peering past the glass partition at the grill, I realized that a combination of cooking technique and quality beef would result in a product that rivaled any of sold at the smoky, crowded street booths.

In addition to an excellent entree, I received engaging service from Alex and his crew and a momentary escape from the rowdiness and blazing sun outside.

9/7/14

I needed to pig out. It was nearly 6:00 and I'd skipped lunch. My first choice, a pizza place had closed permanently. Seeing that sign on the door made my stomach grumble even more. Then, I remembered Slope's wasn't too far away plus I had a Scoutmob deal.

This joint is unassuming and welcoming. White and red checked plastic clothes drape each table. Autographed photos of celebrities cover paneling near the drink station, but the staff treats even everyday folks like stars.

Hush puppies listed as a special piqued my curiosity because the establishment doesn't sell seafood. A girl at the counter, the owner's daughter I assume, answered my questions like a pro. I ordered an assortment of items: ribs, green lima beans, mac and cheese, coleslaw, and those hush puppies. The baked macaroni and cheese was unimpressive: short on cheese and less flavorful than what most home cooks could conjure up.

Luckily Slope's claim to fame lies in barbeque, which is what they do best. Slightly sweet sauce covered my ribs but, frankly, I think the abundance of sauce masked some of their inherent flavor. Clearly, talented cooks handle the smoker and the meat in it with care. The beans and puppies deserve honorable mentions, as does the coleslaw.

I heard the staff talking to other customers who entered as I ate. What impressed me as much as the bbq was the level of interaction and familiarity the staff had with patrons. I suspect that most customers return as much for the genuine customer service as for the food.

8/25/14

Contrary to popular belief, Walmart doesn't always have the best prices. Recently though, they introduced a tool that puts savings savvy customers at ease.

Savings Catcher tracks items purchased at Walmart and will credit the price difference in the form of a gift card. No more worrying about another major retailer offering a better deal the day after you buy an item.

Simple to use online or through the app, Savings Catcher will save you time and money. Visit the site for details: https://savingscatcher.walmart.com/

8/18/14

I'm having coupon withdrawal. Most of the stores I encounter in NYC are actually tiny markets, not the mega grocery stores abundant in Atlanta. The larger grocers sell items for much more, it seems, than the smaller businesses. These inflated prices cancel out the benefit of using a discount. Trader Joe's has become my stumping ground. Even so, its produce isn't always the freshest. Thank goodness for NYC's network of Greenmarkets.

I bought purple carrots, cucumbers, potatoes and chocolate milk for $5.50. But I skipped green beans and a basil plant, buying both at Trader Joe's for a savings of over 50%. I snacked on the carrots then shredded them to garnish Salmon Sliders (even using the leaves) and I added some to Shrimp Fried Rice. I boiled the potatoes too long but still paired them with Coconut Curry. Despite the soft texture caused by overcooking, they possessed a buttery appearance and depth of flavor.

A word of warning if even the smallest dog ignites fear in you. Many visitors stroll over from the dog park section with their pets in tow. Though tinier than Union Square's market, McCarren offers plenty of choice without the massive Manhattan crowds.

8/8/14

If you're a Bed Bath and Beyond groupie, take advantage of this stock up deal. Buy $40 worth of select Proctor and Gamble products (details in store) and score a $10 BBB gift card. Remember that this retailer's coupons never expire, so be sure to sign up for the mailing list. This offer though, ends 8/31.

7/8/14

Try this quick marinade on chicken or pork before it hits the grill. Because the orange juice provides sugar and acidity, it does double duty. Amounts listed cover approximately 1/2 pound of meat.

You'll need approximately:

3 pinches of red pepper flakes

.5 cup of orange juice

about 2 pinches of black pepper

3 basil leaves

.25 cup of vegetable oil

Put the pepper and the pepper flakes in an airtight container then pour juice over them. Tear apart basil by hand then toss them into the container. Whisk ingredients before adding meat. Refrigerate up to 24 hours.

6/3/14

Still on a quest to use what I have on hand, I adapted this from Allrecipes.com. It's a spin on traditional brownies. I
replaced 1/3 cup of all-purpose
flour with Arrowhead Mills Organic Rye, swapped the vanilla with organic maple syrup, the walnuts with almonds, and added 1.5 tbsp of cream liqueur.

5/25/14

A 100% grass-fed cheeseburger on a brioche bun for only $5 bucks in NYC? I checked the Bowery Burger menu board twice to make sure I hadn't hallucinated. Located in the Bowery Whole Foods, it also serves turkey burgers and hot dogs plus gluten-free and vegetarian options. I bypassed the $2 hand-cut fries (choose from sweet potato or regular) but spied them on another customer's plate. The portion appeared generous.

I'm a fan of burgers with discernible searing and top-notch buns. The bottom of mine was wimpy and not sturdy enough to support the toppings I chose. Despite that, it tasted delectable. In addition to the price, the array of toppings available besides standard lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles also made my burger a great deal. I'm talking garlic aioli, chili, whole slices of grilled onions, and premium cheese choices.

They say you should never buy groceries on an empty stomach. I agree, and grabbing a Bowery Burger should be at the top of your shopping list.

4/8/14

Whether savory or sweet, empanadas are perfectly portable treats. Nuchas' short rib variety rings of rosemary and braised beef. Coconut, mushrooms, eggplant and zucchini unify to make you forget the Shiitake Curry is vegan. The Argentine transports diners to South America in one bite. Potatoes, onions ground beef and other ingredients encased in firm yet tender dough do not disappoint. From composition to flavor complexity, it's evident that Nuchas' empanadas originate from traditional techniques enriched by artisanal whimsy.

3/30/14

Presentation isn't everything, but it certainly grabs my tastebuds' attention. These cupcakes reminded me of the irregular items at certain discount stores where sometimes you find a bargain, sometimes you don't.

Unbalanced and average, the Vanilla Bean with Chocolate Buttercream was slightly overcooked and topped with sugary frosting.

The Erik Milk Coconut variety clearly outshone it. Coconut buttercream, working in unison with a moist yellow cupcake, created a memorable treat. One Cup Two Cupcakes lacks the pizzazz of other shops I've ventured into. You'll find no extravagant ingredients there. Then again, its prices run proportionate to size and content.

2/17/14

My sis begrudgingly took a square of this cornbread home. I begged her to because I wanted it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. When she emailed me later requesting more, I couldn't resist the opportunity to gloat.

I followed the instructions on a Publix cornmeal package. Adapt your favorite brand by adding the following:

6 bacon slices

.25 cup mild cheddar

2 garlic cloves

2 tbsp finely diced shallots

.25 tbsp dried oregano

Cook the bacon to a crisp. Set aside to drain but reserve enough grease to lightly coat the frying pan. Saute the garlic and shallots until they soften. Meanwhile, crumble the bacon. Before adding wet ingredients, stir the oregano into the cornmeal. Repeat with the cheese. Add the wet ingredients and mix until the batter is almost completely moistened. Gently stir in the bacon. Cook according to package instructions.

1/9/14

Doc Chey's mainly serves stir fry dishes. It's the hangout of choice for my nephews whenever they sleep over if I'm not in the mood to cook. Entrees come in a variety of combinations based on starch and protein preferences.

My current fave, Thai Coconut Red Curry, features peanuts, eggplant and mild curry sauce. I sometimes delve into the vegetarian version sans tofu but often choose the succulent shrimp.

The Thai Iced Coffee is a creamy, chocolatey concoction that I crave.
One of this restaurant's best offerings is its commitment to community
in the form of charitable events. Doc Chey's also gives back to
customers who sign up for Karma Cards to rack up rewards.